Fence-post clamp



Feb. 10, 1931.

J. F. swE soN FENCE ros'r cLAuP Filed Feb. '28. 1929 Patented Feb. 10, i931 PATENT OFFICE,

d'OHN I. SWENSON, OF DULUTH, MINNESOTA FENCE-POST CLAMP Application filed february 28, 1929.v Serial 1T0. 343,882.

a This invention relates to clam ing devices and is illustrated herein as em od1ed in a clamp suitable for use in connecting wire fences to fence posts. 8 At the present time, metal fence posts are coming more and more into use and for the purpose of securing the strands of the fence -to such posts it is customary to provide metal clamping elements. In new of the cheapness of manufacture and the ease and rapidity with which they may be attached to metal posts, clamping elements formed out of a single strand of bendable, or deformable wire are generally provided.

The present invention relates to this class of deformable clamps and has for an important object thereof the provision .of an improved .clamp which may be applied by hand to a fence post with ease and dlspatch to hold :1. wire strand in firm en ement with the post tem orarily, and ma .t ereafter be manipullate by a tool to hol the strand permanent J Y A feature of the invention consists in the provision of a. clamp of the class described, which, in the beginning may be s'nap'pedin position on a post to hold the wire temporarily, and thereafter may be deformedto hold the wire permanently; .In the illustrat ed embodiment of the invention the snapping action is ac uired byeonstructing an extremity of the 0 amp with an angular wir'e receivin recess and with a resilient ortion spaced t erefrom for engaging the wire and maintaining it in 1 firm seated engagement within the recess. Thus when the clamp is around the post and secured to a wire strand there is no tendency for the two to move relatively to one another, and to the end of preventing movement of the strand relatively to the post, it is contemplated forming projections or recesses on the post and disposing the wire strand within one-of the recesses or behind one of the projections.

- Another feature of the invention-consists in the provision of a clamp provided with a resilient wire engagin catch formed by bending double one of t e extremities of the .wire clamp. In theillustrated embodiment V of the invention one of the terminal portions of the clamp is bent double to from a U the free leg of which is extended laterally to form a finger piece for use in applying the ga ement with the post; I

igure 2 is a top plan view of the assemblalge shown in Figure 1 igurev 3 is a view in side elevation of the assemblage of Figure 1, showing the clamping devicein the process of being applied to the 0st; t

Figure 4 is a view very similar to Figure 3, showing a further stage in the process of applying the clamp;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figures 3 and4, showing the clamping device completely applied; and

Figure 6 is a view in perspectiveof the clamping device.

As shown in the drawings, the reference numeral 10 comprises a metallic fence post that is U-sha d in cross-section and is provided at its orward edges with a series of corrugations or projections 12. For the purposes of illustrating the present invention,

there is shown in the'figures a single strand of wire 14 exte'ndinga'cross the fronti-of the post and positioned within one of the recesses m the corrugations 12. It is customa to seat the wire strands in this fashion an the problem of the present invention consists in the provision of means for clamping the strand in firm engagement with the post to prevent displacement thereof from the recess.

Accordingly, there is rovided a clamp member indicated genera y by the reference numeral 16, which'comprises a body section 18 arranged to'encir'cle and to conform to the shape of fence ost 10, a preformed wire engagin hook 20 coated at one extremity of the 0 amp and a resilient wire engaging latch 22 located at the opposite extremity of the clamp. As illustrated in Figures 3 to 6 inclusive, the resilient latch comprises a vertically extending portion 24 which, by means of a loop 26, 1s joined to a laterally offset vertically extending portion 28. As

illustrated, the vertically extending portion minal 30 may also include a looped end aswell as a horizontally disposed linger as shown.

In the application of the clamp to a fence post and wire strand, the preformed portion 20 is hooked around the wire strand 14 and the body section of the clamp is brought around the post, in which position the loop 26 of the catch 22 lies adjacent to the forward edge of the wire strand 14. Thereafter, the laterally extending terminal 30 is utilized as a finger piece in snapping the'latch over the wire strand. This 1s accomplished in much the manner illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 from an inspection of which it will be seen that as the latch extremity of the clamp is being forced over the wire strand 14, the outer portion 28 yields outwardly owing to its resiliency and the pressure of the wire strand thereagainst,

' until the strand passes beneath the laterally projecting'terminal 30 and engages in the angular recess in themanner' shown in Figure 4. At this point, the resiliency of the outer member 28 causes that member to spring back in a position to'overlie the wire strand whereby that member is rigidly clamped infirm engagement with the post,

and the clamp is mamtained against accidental di'splacement. This. constitutes a temporary application of the clamp to the post and causes the wire strand to be held firmly while other clamps are being attached. Subsequently, when desired, a tool ma be applied to the loop 26 of the latch to bend the latch extremity from its vertically extending position backwardly to the horizontally disposed position shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5. In thls latter position, the wire strand is permanently clamped against the fence. In performing the bending operation grippers may be used, or a cylinder instrument, such as a nail, screw-driver, etc., may be inserted through the loop and fulcrumed beneath the wire strand, and pressure may be a plied to the handle of the instrument.

to e ect the bending of the latch.

It will be appreciated that the clamp herein disclosed affords a simple and efiicient latching means for the wire strand through the provision of an angular recess in which the strand is adapted to be seated and means (a laterally extending terminal 30) for aplying pressure to the wire strand at a spaced ocality to maintain the latter firmly seated within the recess.

It is to be appreciated also that modifications and changes may be made in the embodiment of the invention disclosed herein without departing from the true scope of the invention as pointed out in the appended claims. For instance, the clamp ma e provided at both of its extremities wit the resilient latches, or the hook shaped extrema ity 20 of the clamp may be replaced by other suitable wire engaging means. Similar alterations ma be made in the latch portion and it is to e recognized that such alterations 1n design and 1n appearance are contemplated.

Furthermore, although the clam is illustrated herein as being aflixed from elow the 7 wire strand, it is to be thoroughly understood that the' clamp may be turned upside down and inserted from above the wire with 1. A fence post clamp having one extre1n-- ity thereof bent double to form a wire engaging catch, the portions forming the double 'bend having different inclinations, said extremity being constructed and arranged for bodily permanent deformation at the time of applying the clamp.

2. A fence post clamp having a body portion, and a wire engaging extremity offset 'equal facility; this latter condition being laterally from the body portion and bent back upon itself to form a resilient wire engaging catch said extremity being constructed and arranged for bodily permanent deformation at the time clamp.

3; The combination with a post for wire fences,'of a clamp adapted to cooperate with the post in clamping the fence 1n position,

said clamp having extremities thereof bent in such a manner as to engage a wire of the fence at spaced localities on opposite sides of the wire, one of said extremities providing means for locking the clamp upon the wire, such extremity being constructed and arranged for bodily permanent deformation at the time of applying the clamp.

V 4. The combination with a fence post, of

of applying the.v

a wire engaging clamp comprising, in combination, a body section, and a wire-engaging extremity, said wire engaging extremity having one portion thereof bent to form an angular recess for the reception of a wire strand, and another portion thereof adapted to apply clamping pressure to the wire to maintain it firmly seated within the recess said extremity being constructed and arranged for bodily permanent deformation at the time of applying the clamp.

5. The combination with a fence, of a clamp formed of a single strand of bent wire, said clamp comprising a body section adapted to encircle the post and a wire engaging extremity having one portion thereof bent to form an angular pocket for the re ception of a Wire fence strand, and another portion contiguous therewith for applying pressure to the wire strand at a locality spaced from the pocket to maintain the strand firmly seated therein.

6. The combination with a fence, of a clamp formed of a single strand of bent wire, said clamp comprising a body section adapted to encircle the post and a wire engaging extremity having one portion thereof bent to form an angular pocket for the reception of a wire fence strand, and another portion contiguous therewith for applying pressure to the wire strand at a locality s aced from the pocket to maintain the strand iiimly seated therein, the pocket forming portion of the clamp, and the pressure applying portion being spaced apart and joined together by a loop, whereby the loop may be utilized in bendlng such portions into a permanently clamped position.

7. The combination with a fence post, of a wire engaging clamp comprising a horizontally disposed body section arranged to encircle the post, and a wire engagin extremity formed contiguous with the body section,

clamp composed of a single strand of bent wire, said clamp comprising a wire engaging extremity bent in the form of a U having legs of different inclinations, one of said legs being shorter than the other and formed with a laterally extending terminal, whereby there is provided a wire engaging catch and a finger piece for use in applying the clamp.

10. The combination with a fence post, of a clamp composed of a single strand of wire, said clamp comprising a body sectlon adapted to encircle the post, a preformed wire engaging extremity formed at one end of the body section, and a wire engaging extremity formed at the opposite end, sald latter named extremity comprising a U- shaped member havin one of its legs shorter than the other and ofiset relatively thereto,

said short leg being provided with a laterally projecting terminal.

Signed at Duluth, Minnesota, this 19th day of February, 1929.

- JOHN F. SWENSON.

said extremity comprising a vertically extending portion Joined-at its lower extremity to the body section and adapted to slide over a wire strand disposed against the post, and

a second vertically extending portion connected with the first and arranged to extend in a direction opposite to the first named portion, said second named portion being provided with a laterally disposed terminal comprising a finger piece for use in applying the clamp.

8. The combination with a fence post, of a clamp composed of a single strand of bent wire, said clamp comprising a wire engaging extremity bent in the form of a U having legs of different inclinations, whereby'one of the legs is offset relatively to the other to provide. a wire engaging clamp said extremity being constructed and arranged for bodily permanent deformation at the time of applying the clamp.

9. The combination with a fence post, of a 

